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Simon Verherstraeten made history at the recent European Athletics Championships in Birmingham by becoming the first Belgian man ever to reach the final of the 100 metres. Unfortunately, he was unable to fully challenge for a top result in the final due to cramps in both calves. However, Verherstraeten still crowned his championships with a brilliant performance as part of the Belgian Falcons. Running the anchor leg of Belgium’s 4x100m relay team, the 27-year-old from Lier powered his country to a bronze medal.
In recognition of his impressive European Championships, the Memorial organisers have awarded Verherstraeten a Belgian wildcard. Ever ambitious, he will be hoping to dip below the 10-second barrier.
The men’s 100 metres is scheduled for 20:14 on Friday 4 September and will be followed by the women’s 3000m steeplechase. That race promises to be another highlight. Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, Kenya’s Faith Cherotich and Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, respectively the three fastest steeplechasers of 2026, will all be on the start line.
Chemutai is the Olympic champion from Tokyo 2021, Yavi claimed Olympic gold in Paris 2024, while Cherotich is the reigning world champion.
As the Wanda Diamond League Final, the Allianz Memorial Van Damme will welcome the world’s best athletes of 2026 over two days, on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September. They will compete in 32 disciplines, 16 for women and 16 for men, for the Diamond League title and the coveted Diamond Trophy.